Leaf assembly binding



April 25, 1939. M. WOLFSON LEAF ASSEMBLY BINDING Filed Sept. 12, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR 1 14 0/2550 ATTORN Y April 25, 1939. M. WOLFSON LEAF ASSEMBLY BINDING a Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Spt. 12, 1956 INVENTOR flow/; 14/0/60 ATTORNE April 25, 1939. M. WOLFSON LEAF ASSEMBLY BINDING 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 12, 1936 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Mar/A; l l/o/f 32 Patented Apr. 25, 1939 UNiTED STATES LEAF ASSEMBLY BINDING Morris Wolfson, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor of onehalf to Fay Margolis, New York, N. Y.

Application September 12, 1936,. Serial No. 100,457

5 Claims.

This invention relates to leaf assembly bindings and more particularly to leaf assembly bindings of the flat opening type, such for instance as that disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,516,932

; dated November 25, 1924, to Staab in which is shown a helical spring screwed into perforations along one edge of a leaf assembly. While leaf assembly bindings of this and similar types have recently grown in popularity due to their fiat 10; opening feature, they have been considered objectionable for several reasons such, for example, as among other things that they are unsightly; that they cannot be piled properly; that they are not of suitable form to be jogged, that their use incurs the liability of marring the surface of a desk or the like, and that no identifying means is provided when in a book case.

In ageneral way the present application contemplates producing leaf assembly bindings 9 which overcome the above noted objections and which at the same time retain most, if not all, of the desirable features of such flat opening bindings.

While there are, of course, old and well known 5.- forms of leaf assembly bindings-which are not subject to the above noted drawbacks, they are subject to other disadvantages. In one of these well known leaf asembly bindings, the leaves are tightly bound between rigid plates by means of wires extending through perforations in said leaves and fastened to said plates. In consequence, this binding does not open flat and is therefore inconvenient to handle. In another form of leaf assembly binding, the assembled leaves are resiliently clamped along one edge by means of helical wire springs arranged in circular openings or perforations along one edge of the assembled leaves and while this binding opens more readily than the'binding just 4.0. mentioned, it does not open fiat and hence is inconvenient to handle. I

According to another form, a leaf assembly binder of helical wire is attached to-a flat rigid base by an attachment plate constructed to de- 45 tach'abiy engage the convolutions of the binder and while the leaf assembly opens flat at any desired place, the irregular contours of parts projecting rigidly from a fiat base produce an unfinished appearance and are not conducive to pleasure in handling the binding.

According to still another form of leaf assembly binder, a stiffened binding for the covers carries a rigidly mounted attachment plate with tabs or lugs spaced longitudinally of a helical wire leaf ,5 assembly binder, certain of the coils of this binder (crest-29) being interlocked with said tabs or lugs. While this binding is provided with a cover, the binder projects in its entirety beyond the front surface of the attachment plate and hence when opened, presents an unsightly appearance and is incon- 5 venient to handle.

I propose in a general Way to provide a leaf assembly binding of novel construction which opens fiat; which simulates a well bound book in its appearance; and which is serviceable for various 10 purposes.

For this purpose, I propose to provide a cover of improved construction for various well known forms of leaf assembly bindings now on the market.

I also propose to provide a leaf assembly binding. of novel form which opens flat, is ornamental in appearance, is readily jogged and piled; and which does not scratch or otherwise mar polished surfaces when placed thereon.

I further propose to provide a case of novel formforleaf assembly bindings, said case having a back portion which is shaped by and secured to a shaped back member which conforms in contour to a binder which is to be seated there- I further propose to provide an improved construction for leaf assembly bindings of this character suitable for leaf assemblies of large bulk and heavy weight, said bindings for this purpose contemplating a novel unitary structure for securely fastening binders for leaf assemblies to back members which shape the back portions of covers attached thereto.

. I propose further to provide a novel construction and arrangement of inset panels at opposite ends of the back portion of a cover for a leaf assembly binding whereby the leaf assembly binder and contiguous parts are concealed from view while suitable plates for inscription are provided.

The general object of my invention is therefore to provide a leaf assembly binding of novel construction which will simulate a Well bound book in appearance and serviceability, while at the same time retaining the advantageous features peculiar to flat opening leaf assembly bindmgs.

For this purpose, one of the objects of my invention is to provide a case of novel form and suitable construction to be attached to various types and styles of leaf assembly bindings of present well known construction.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide means of novel construction whereby a leaf assembly binding which opens flat, may be rendered less unsightly; capable of being properly piled without inconvenience; of suitable form to be jogged; and. not prone to mar the polished surfaces of desks or tables when placed thereon.

Another object of my invention is to provide for a leaf assembly binding a case of novel construction in which a shaped back member conforms to the outer contour of a binder in seated engagement therewith.

Another object of my invention is to provide a covered leaf binding of novel construction in which a binder for leaf assemblies of large bulk and heavy weight is attached to the cover in a novel manner.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel inset panel construction at the ends of the back portions of the cover or case in a covered leaf binding of the character referred to.

With these and other objects in View which will readily appear as the nature of my invention is better understood, the same consists in the improved and novel arrangement and combination of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated simple and preferred forms of my invention, it being understood however that no limitation is necessarily made to the precise structural details therein shown, but that alterations and modifications within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to when desired.

In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an assembly of leaves, and folded attaching and hinge strips subsequent to the punching of holes in preparation for the insertion of a helical binder.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a disassembled leaf binding according to one of the preferred embodiments of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective View similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts assembled.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective View showing one of the steps in assembling the parts.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end view of the leaf assembly binding shown in Fig. 3 with means for rigidly fastening the leaf assembly binder to the back shaping member.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the covered leaf assembly binding shown in closed position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the assembled leaves having attaching strips according to another embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a disassembled leaf assembly binding according t this embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view of the assembled parts according to this embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of the attaching strips and shaped back member for this embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary end view of the closed binding according to this embodiment of my invention with means for fastening the leaf assembly binder to the back member.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the covered binding in closed position.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a disassembled leaf assembly binding according to another embodiment of my invention for leaf assemblies of large bulk and heavy weight.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary perspective view partly broken away and partly in section to illustrate the relative positions of the assembled parts.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary end view .of the covered binding according to this embodiment and prior to the insetting of the end panels and illustrates a shaped binder retaining member within the wire coils and attached to a shaped back member conformably engaging the outer contour of the binder.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary end view of the closed binding with the end panels inset.

Fig. 17 is a separate end view of the shaped back member and binder retaining member.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, show an adaptation of my invention in which a leaf assembly 2| with folded attaching strips 22 and 23 applied thereto have been punched to provide a series of perforations 24 along one edge prior to the insertion therein of a helical wire binder 25. According to this embodiment of my invention, the back portion 26 of the binding cover may have any desired form imparted thereto by a shaped back member 21. As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the shaped back member 21 is provided with an anterior groove 21a into which the wire convolutions of the helical binder 25 are tightly pressed after the helix has been passed through the perforations 24. With the helical binder 25 closely seated in the groove 21a corresponding marginal portions 28 of the attachment strips 22 and 23 are glued to the opposite faces of the shaped back member 21 which may be formed of pressed pulp, light wood such, for example, as balsa or poplar or of any other suitable material. The cover which may consist of paper, cloth, leather, or other material is then attached by gluing the back portion 26 thereof to the fiat surfaces of the shaped back member 2'! after which the free marginal portions 29 of the attaching strips 2223 are glued to the inner walls of the back and front covers 30. As shown best in Fig. 5 of the drawings, in the closed binding, the folded intermediate portions 3| of the attaching strips 22-23 are presented inwardly from the front and back hinges of the cover. Suitable means for additionally fastening the binder to the shaped back member may be provided in the form of staples 32 or the like driven into the back member 21 at opposite ends and engaging the binder 25 within its coils. This device prevents the wire coils from pulling against the intermediate portions 3| of the attaching strips 22 and 23 which are thereby relieved from any excessive stress.

For ordinary paper covered books such, for example, as magazines and catalogs which are usually side stitched, a relatively inexpensive form of my improved binding is shown in Figs. 7 to 12 inclusive of the drawings. For this purpose, the folded hinge strips 2223 shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive are replaced by strips 33 formed from a single thickness of cloth. After these strips have been punched or drilled together with the assembly of leaves 2| to provide holes 34 as shown in Fig. 7, a helical binder 38 is inserted through the holes 34 after which the strips 33 are glued to opposite surfaces 35 of a back member 36 provided with an anterior groove 36a. This having been done, the uncovered leaf binding is inserted into the back portion 31 of a cover, said cover having front and. back sides 39 hinged to said back portion at 40. It will be seen in Figs. 8 and 9, that the shaped back member 36 imparts a desired form to the cover back while at the same time providing a forwardly presented groove which conforms to the leaf binder 38 seated therein. This type of binder may also be greatly strengthened by the insertion of staples 4l at opposite ends of back member 36 for engaging and rigidly securing the binder 38 thereto.

According to Figs. 13 to 17 of the drawings, my invention is exemplified in an adaptation to assemblies of leaves having large bulk and heavy weight. In the form illustrated, the leaf assembly 42 is engaged along one edge by a helical binder 43, the outer peripheries of the convolutions in said binder being seated in an anterior groove 44 in a back member 45. A binder retaining member 46 is shaped posteriorly to conform to the inner peripheries of the loops of coil 43 so that when said member 46 is rigidly secured to the back member 45 by some suitable fastening devices such as staples 41 at each end, the binder is firmly secured to the back member 45. Front and back covers 48 are hinged at 49 to the forward edges of the front and back sides 50 which together with a back plate form the back portion of the cover. Folded strips comprising rearwardly presented marginal portions 52, forwardly presented marginal portions 53 and intermediate portions or folds 54 are preferably employed in this embodiment of my invention, said strips being incorporated in the binding in a manner similar to that pointed out in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive of the drawings. In this form of binding the cover is preferably made of some heavy material suitable for exceptional wear and having sufficient strength to resist the strains placed thereon by the heavy book within. As shown in Figure 16 of the drawings, panels 55 of sufficiently stiff material and shaped to have their profile outlines conform to the back portion and rear portions of the front and back sides of the cover are inset at opposite ends of the shaped back member 45 and securely mounted in a suitable manner such, for example, as by being glued to the back member. The purpose of the inset panels 55 is to conceal the helical binder 43 and contiguous parts and thus to improve the appearance of the binding. These inset panels serve the further purpose of providing plates whereon the title of the bound book may be inscribed in addition to the usual front and back cover inscriptions so that whether the book is placed in a filing cabinet, is faced downwardly on a desk, or is piled in a stack with other books, the title may be easily read on the front, back, at the top or at the bottom and thus obviates unnecessary handling of heavy books. This convenience is of peculiar value in the use of heavy or bulky bindings and especially in wire bindings. It will be understood from the foregoing description that the binding shown in Figures 13 to 17 inclusive is of peculiar value for heavy books which ordinarily pull away from their covers due to failure of the hinge strips. It is readily seen that by interposing the convolutions of the binder 43 between a shaped back member 45 and a retaining member 46 for securing it thereto, the wire convolutions are restrained from pulling against the intermediate portions 54 of the hinge strips 53.

From the foregoing description of some preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I have provided a leaf assembly binding of novel construction which simulates a well bound book in appearance; which is serviceable and which at the same time retains the advantageous features peculiar to the herein described types and styles of leaf assembly bindmgs.

It will be seen further that I have provided covers of novel construction for leaf assembly bindings of various well known forms; which are not unsightly; that provides for jogging and piling without inconvenience; that are not prone to mar the polished surfaces of desks or tables upon which they are placed and which provides for identifying indicia. when placed in a book case, on a table or in a stack of books.

It will be seen further that for this purpose, I have provided a case of novel form provided with means of suitable construction to be attached to various types and styles of leaf assembly bindings of present well known construction.

It is also clear that I have provided a sturdy unitary structure of novel form for leaf assembly bindings in which the leaf assemblies are large in bulk and of heavy weight and for this purpose that I have provided a rigid binding unit of novel construction wherein various types and styles of leaf assembly binders of generally rounded contours and hollow form may be securely clamped between members conforming to the inner and outer peripheral contours of the binders.

It will be seen furthermore, that I have provided leaf assembly bindings of novel form and construction incorporating inset panels at the ends of the back portions of the covers for said bindings for concealing unsightly portions while at the same time providing plates for suitable inscriptions which serve to identify the bindings in piles and on shelves.

Having thus described my invention and pointed out the novel features residing therein, what I claim is:

1. In combination with a leaf assembly binding, a cover for said leaf binding, a shaped back member for shaping the back of said cover, said back member being interposed between the cover back and the binder of said leaf assembly, and attaching strips secured along opposite marginal edges to said shaped back member and leaf binder respectively.

2. In combination with a binding comprising a binder and leaves, a cover for the binding comprising a back portion and front and back side portions, a shaped back member having an anterior groove conforming to and partly housing said binder along its exterior periphery, the back portion of said cover being shaped by and attached to the posterior surface of said shaped back member, and attaching strips having forwardly and rearwardly presented marginal portions respectively secured to the back member and the front and back sides of the cover, said attaching strips being folded longitudinally and having their folded-edges attached to the binder.

3. In a leaf assembly binding, the combination with a cover comprising back and front and back side portions, a shaped back member shaped posteriorly to impart the desired form to the back portion of said cover and provided with an anterior groove, a leaf binder seated in said anterior groove, and attaching strips in engagement with said leaf binder along the hinges of said cover and having marginal portions thereof interposed between said back member and back portion of said cover.

4. In a leaf assembly binding, the combination with a cover comprising back and front and back side portions, a shaped back member shaped posteriorly to impart the desired form to the back portion of said cover and provided with an anterior groove, a leaf binder seated in said anterior groove, and attaching strips comprising forwardly presented marginal portions secured to the front and side portions respectively of said cover and rearwardly presented marginal portions secured to said shaped member, said strips being provided with intermediate longitudinally folded portions attached to said leaf binder.

5. In a leaf assembly binding, the combination with a leaf assembly binder provided with coaxially arranged loops for an assembly of leaves, of a shaped back member provided with an anterior groove conforming to the rear contour of said leaf assembly binder, said leaf assembly binder being seated in said groove, a binder engaging member conforming to the inner periphery of the leaf assembly binder, means for securing said members together in engagement with said leaf assembly binder, a cover comprising a 

